-Caveat Lector-
http://www.veteransforpeace.org/remembernuremburg.htm
VETERANS FOR PEACE
VETERANS FOR PEACE, INC.
438 No Skinker
St. Louis, MO 63130
(314) 725-6005
FAX (314) 725-7103
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.veteransforpeace.org
NEWS RELEASE – NEWS RELEASE – NEWS RELEASE
Vets To Top US Military Commanders:
REMEMBER NUREMBERG
Veterans For Peace has sent an open letter to fifteen generals and
admirals in the top ranks of the US Military advising them of their possible
liabilities, under international law, to criminal prosecution for being part of
a pre- emptive war against Iraq. Veterans For Peace, headquartered in St.
Louis, MO, is an organization of men and women who have served in
peacetime and in most of the wars of the last century, with 92 chapters
nationwide.
OPEN LETTER TO THE NATION’S TOP MILITARY COMMANDERS
General Richard B. Myers, Chairman, USAF;
General Peter Pace, Vice Chairman, USMC
Admiral Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations
General Michael W. Hagee, Commandant USMC
General John P. Jumper, Chief of Staff, USAF
General Erick Shineski, Chief of Staff, USA
_________________________________________
United States Unified Combatant Commanders:
General James L. Jones, USMC, US European Command,
Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, USN, US Pacific Command,
Admiral E.P. Giambastiani, USN, US Joint Forces Command,
General James T. Hill. USA, U Southern Command,
General Tommy R. Franks, USA, US Central Command,
General Ralph E. Eberhart, USAF, US Northern Command,
General Charles R. Holland, USAF, US Special Operations Command,
General John W. Handy, USAF, US Transportation Command,
Admiral James O. Ellis, Jr., USN, US Strategic Command,
February 13, 2003
Dear Gentlemen,
Veterans For Peace is an organization whose members have served with
honor in the armed forces of the United States of America. Among our
members we count decorated veterans of WWII, the Korean War, the
Vietnam War and the Gulf War. Many served during two, and in several
instances, three of these wars. Two of our members are recipients of the
Medal of Honor, dozens received Silver and Bronze Stars for valor in
combat, and hundreds were awarded the Purple Heart for wounds
received in action. One of our members was a POW for over seven years in
the Hanoi Hilton.
We learned the horrors of war through our military experience and we
want the killing stopped. We believe it is not just enough to be against
war, we must also work against war and that is the purpose of our
organization.
We, like you, know the world is a dangerous place and that our military
forces are necessary for our defense. We realize that you too have seen
and do not want war. War must only be the option of last resort.
We believe the war against Iraq that the US government is planning and
preparing for is in violation of the Charter of the United Nations and
customary international law. The judgment of the International Military
Tribunal at Nuremberg noted, "Resort to war of aggression is not merely
illegal, but is criminal."
The principle of renunciation of the use or threat of force is now one of
the fundamental principles of international law and, as such, is stated with
the utmost clarity in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which imposes definite
obligations on states participating in international affairs. States are bound
in their international relations to renounce "the threat or use of force
against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or
in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the UN".
The US seeks to justify a pre-emptive strike on Iraq on the basis of self-
defense. Article 51of the UN Charter permits the use of force by a state to
repel an armed attack or a substantial and immediate threat to the
national security of the state until the Security Council exercises
jurisdiction. A threat which permits the use of force must be an
immediate, specific threat to US national security and not a general threat
to the Gulf region or a possible future threat. The legality of pre-emptive
self-defense has been rejected on the basis that use of force to deter
future use of force constitutes punitive rather than defensive action. If
the US fails to gain Security Council approval for war, the US is bound by
Article 51 and may not lawfully, unilaterally take military action.
It is clear that the planned massive attack on Iraq is not based upon self-
defense. Iraq has not attacked the US nor does Iraq constitute an
immediate and specific threat to US national security. We are not
apologists for Saddam Hussein but we believe there are ways to deal with
his regime without the resort to a war of aggression. Other countries and
many Americans have suggested reasonable and safe alternatives.
We members of VFP remember well our military service. We swore to
support and defend the Constitution of the United States. We were
informed of the Nuremberg Tribunal and the conviction and punishment of
soldiers for following illegal orders. We were taught that we must not
follow an illegal order. US military leadership must not only know and teach
the obligations of international law but must respect and follow them.
You are in high military positions and you have awesome responsibilities
under our Constitution and international law. We believe you are
honorable men. We respectfully urge that you do the right thing in this
terribly difficult situation. Clearly your duty is to not engage in the
political leaderships' illegal war. Many veterans will support you if you
refuse to participate in an illegal war and we believe that you can
successfully use your high positions to warn the American people and you
will be supported.
If you fail your sworn duty to the Constitution and international law by
engaging in an illegal war against Iraq, we fear the US will become a rogue
nation that will believe in and act on the principle that might is right to
the great dishonor of all our professed values and to the great discredit of
all who served in the armed services of the US so that their children and
future generations could live in peace and freedom.
With great urgency,
David Cline
National President
Veterans For Peace
© 2003 Veterans for Peace
Posted February 14, 2003
Forwarded for your information. The text and intent of the article
have to stand on their own merits.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material
is distributed without charge or profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information
for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do
not believe simply because it has been handed down for many genera-
tions. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and
rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is
written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on
the authority of teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after
careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with
reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all.
Then accept it and live up to it." The Buddha on Belief,
from the Kalama Sutra
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